A Foundation Crumbling Under Pressure

As a consultant, Chris Bilich was a master at helping engineering firms construct winning proposals and polished presentations to secure lucrative government contracts. He expertly guided them through the entire process - from drafting eye-catching proposals to delivering knockout presentations that left selection committees awestruck.

However, behind the confident facade, Chris' financial foundation was unstable. For years, he had struggled with the peaks and valleys of relying on hourly fees. During slow weeks when no projects materialized, his income flatlined. “I was charging by the hour, and if I didn’t do any work one week, I didn’t get paid,” Chris recalled. This erratic income made financial planning especially difficult. And growing a company was just out of the question. Revenue was not stable.

Even worse, the viability of his entire business teetered precariously on one major client. If they decided to cut ties, Chris' income would completely collapse overnight. After five challenging years of unpredictable income, Chris knew he needed to rebuild his business on a more solid foundation before it completely imploded.

Seeking a Blueprint for Success

Chris jumped on Google to search for a better way - some kernel of wisdom that could stabilize his rocky business. After sifting through advice of dubious quality, he finally stumbled upon Consulting Success. Intrigued, he dug deeper into our blog, podcast and offerings. It didn't take long before the light bulb went off - "From a financial perspective, I wasn’t really running a business. I was running an hourly side hustle," Chris realized.

He enrolled in our Clarity coaching program, which paired him with Patrick, an insightful mentor. “When they selected a coach for me, they really hit a home run. I truly feel like a valued client, not just a guy following a program," Chris said. For the first time, he saw a pathway to turn that side hustle into a thriving, stable business that would support his family.

With our team's guidance, Chris learned how to convey the immense value he delivered through compelling messaging, rather than basing his rates on hours alone. He began attracting more clients drawn to the undeniable expertise he exuded. These meaningful connections blossomed into long-term contracts, providing a stable foundation at last.

Rebuilding on Bedrock

Armed with proven techniques, Chris systematically rebuilt his business from the ground up. He diversified his client base to include five major clients so he was no longer dependent on just one. His fees increased substantially, by as much as 40 percent on some contracts, rewarding the outstanding results he achieved. “I even put a bonus structure in place, so my contracts now reward performance,” Chris explained.

For any consultant looking to escape the shaky ground of hourly rates, Chris highly recommends Consulting Success. “It’s worth the investment to enroll in the program. Within months, you’ll know for sure the long-term value that it has to offer you," he advised. With newfound confidence and stability, Chris is proud to have constructed a business as rock-solid as the winning proposals he creates.

Here's another win for Chris: "The CDM Smith contract was executed today. BIG win for us! A few concessions made, but everyone seems to feel good about it. I'll be sending the first invoice in a matter of minutes. BOOM. Appreciate all of your help and that of the greater team. 2023 closed out as a banner year for our business. 2024 is on track to exceed that. Wow."